A consortium of local government offices last week announced a new program intended to promote a range of local businesses in the tourism, convention and exhibition events, hotel and catering industries.

The city's BRT, bus and subway systems will be free of charge on holidays and weekend days through June 30. All A-level tourist attractions in Xiamen will waive entrance fees through the end of June.

Xiamen is currently open for tourists from within Fujian province. For the next three months, local travel agencies are eligible for subsidies of up to 500,000 yuan if they arrange overnight tourism stays in the city. Tourists are also eligible for a subsidy of up to 80 yuan per day for a maximum of three days.

Domestic meetings, training sessions, fairs and exhibitions are now permitted, although international conventions and exhibitions are still suspended. Potential visitors must first submit to a health code inspection and temperature check.

Participants in the program include the local commerce, culture and tourism and finance bureaus as well as the local health commission.